Arts at the Lake: The art of appreciation and the appreciation of art

Editor Note: The Lake Arts Council has continuously delivered local talent and regionally and internationally known performance and artistic professionals to the Lake of the Ozarks stage. Find out what the Lake Arts Council and its many groups have up their sleeves during this column, which will publish every other week in The Lake Today.

Words are inadequate tools to convey the feeling of standing before a roaring audience. The overwhelming wave of approval that washes over one who has trained, practiced, and dedicated large amounts of their lives toward that one moment. Be it on the field at the Super Bowl, after catching the game-winning touchdown, or at the conclusion of a concert when the audience demands “just one more encore,” the emotion, the satisfaction and the sound is exactly the same. Recognition and approval can be extremely powerful forces in the career of any performer or artist.

On March 16, our community will have to opportunity to cheer in a frenzy of appreciation for our friends, neighbors and families as the Lake Arts Council holds the Lake Area Variety Showcase at the School of the Osage at 7 p.m. Dancers, singers, bands, a clown and even a certain hula-hooper. I’ve praised in the past will be taking to the stage. At the auditions held last month, Director Diane Oltmann selected some key new performers who are eager to demonstrate their skills upon the stage. These new acts will be joined by many returning local stars in what promises to be a wonderful evening of entertainment.

Though the deep-thinkers will often claim the greatest art is its own reward, applause can be pretty good compensation too. As a little guy, I didn’t draw stick figures of my family and dogs with far too many legs just to have created something, I wanted those masterpieces stuck to the fridge, where anyone seeking nourishment would be forced to view my artistry. And, because parents, through the love of their children tend to mislead them a bit, I grew up thinking I was going to be the next Picasso. Sadly, a gift for putting noses in all the wrong places does not always translate to financial success. For me, however, it did instill a love of art. And that is why, on March 16, I will be cheering as loudly for those who may hit a few squeakers on their instruments as I will for those who deliver flawless performances. Art is not about perfection, art is subjective. What I see when I view the Mona Lisa’s conniving grin may be far different than when you gaze into those eyes that have seen far too much. Art is about creation, expression and appreciation. Art is to be shared. Without audiences, galleries, museums or fridges to appreciate the creativity expressed by those whose parents called artists, this world would be a far less beautiful place.

Join me, Saturday, March 16, at the School of the Osage. High-five the painters displaying their works in the lobby, scream in appreciation as the tap-dancers whirl about the stage like pinwheels caught in a hurricane, do the wave in the auditorium as a girl with flaming hula-hoops spins herself silly. The most important expression of art does not always come from the artists – sometimes, it comes from the audience as a community comes together to celebrate the talent, dedication and courage of those who dare to create.

For more information on Lake Area Arts events, organizations or becoming a member of the Lake Arts Council, please visit www.lakeartscouncil.com, call 573-964-6366 or visit our office between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Stone Crest Mall in Osage Beach.